Is Zero Percent Interest on Business Loans a Myth?

Before you ponder over the question above, you should be aware that there is no free lunch in this world! Everything comes at a price, and someone has to pay for it. In the present age of raging consumerism, the idea of zero percent financing is often bait used to lure potential buyers, whether the concerned item is an avant-garde appliance or a fabulous piece of furniture. Though this scheme apparently seems lucrative, the consumer is indirectly charged with an interest rate which he fails to realize. After all, no business can afford to offer charity and forgo profits, right? So if you are expecting absolutely zero percent interest on business loans, then you need to brace for a bit of disappointment. Whether the lender is a bank or a non-banking financial institution, you will be charged a certain interest rate. But the good news is that, currently, rates levied on business loans are highly competitive and hence attractive.

 
More on business loans

Are you planning to expand your business, buy some new equipment or a new factory, or need to purchase raw materials? Then a business loan which is customized to suit your needs and profile is your best bet for financing your dreams. Most banks and other financial lenders structure the loan according to the borrower’s size, turnover, future financial projections and many other factors. So if you are a small business, you will be charged differently from a large entity, for the loan.

Now since more and more non-banking financial corporations are emerging to compete with banks as far as business loans are concerned, they are offering low interest rates, fast approvals, and flexible repayment tenures to make things easy for small or medium enterprises. And let’s not forget that in today’s scenario, small and medium businesses are coming together to form the backbone of the global economy. And with such loans, you can also expect other benefits like hassle-free documentation process, proactive and understanding customer service, and fair play and transparency. Moreover, if you have a good credit rating, you might not need to pledge any collateral or require a guarantor.

A look at very flexible loans

While we are on the topic of zero percent interest on business loans, let’s take a look at some highly flexible loans which are offered by some leading NBFCs. These loans are structured to suit the exact cash flow pattern of your business and don’t impose any pre-payment penalty. That is, you can pre-pay the loan with funds that are sitting idle with you, and not bear any interest charges for the same. Interest will be levied only on the loan amount you utilize. Up to 90% loan to value is provided against the security or collateral you offer in this case. Transactions for this loan can be executed online on the lender’s portal, and part payment charges are also often nil.

Good to know

Generally, for any type of business loan, you need to be self-employed, or your organization has to be public, private or a proprietorship. You should be engaged in your present business for at least 3 years and have a decent credit score. Certain terms and conditions might also be present as far as profitability and minimum annual income are concerned. You will also need to submit balance sheets, profit and loss statements, income tax return statements, trade license or registration certificates, audited financial projections, and profiles of partners and directors. But please note that eligibility criteria might vary from one lending institution to another. And finally, loan disbursal is as per the discretion of the lender. But if you have all your documents in place and your business has potential, nothing will stop you from fulfilling your dreams.